Re: Tech Writer/Documentation Specialist

Subject: Re: Tech Writer/Documentation Specialist
From: "Robert Plamondon" <robert -at- plamondon -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2003 07:22:59 -0700


The use of puffy, vague titles should really be left to people like garbage
men. Not that titles like "Sanitation Engineer" help, but it's good for a
laugh.

In our profession, we have one of the most powerful, romantic, appealing job
titles at our disposal, but we insist on hiding our light under a bushel.
These titles are "Writer" and "Editor." Both command tremendous respect.

My advice is to forget about "Documentation Specialist" and other puffy
titles. Think about ditching the word "Technical." The single word,
"Writer," is a great job title. "Senior Writer" may not be an improvement.
"Editor" is also cool. "Managing Editor" is even better.

As many people have mentioned, no one outside the tech pubs biz knows what a
"Documentation Specialist" is, and even we don't agree. Similarly, many
people inside the high-tech industry are confused about what a "Tech Writer"
is. But pare it down to "Writer," and people become very respectful.

-- Robert
--
Robert Plamondon
President, High-Tech Technical Writing
robert -at- plamondon -dot- com
http://www.plamondon.com/HIGHTECH/homepage.html
"We're Looking for a Few Good Clients"



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